Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Abia State, Dr Philips Nto, has decried what he called unending harassment by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over investigation that has lasted for nine years.
This is as he has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to send for his case file to investigate what his real offence was, and why EFCC should be dragging him over a case for nine years without charging him to court.
Dr Nto who is currently a lecturer at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, MOUAU, was reacting to an invitation sent to him through a text message by EFCC whereby he was given less than a day to report to Abuja to “clear grey areas.”
The former Commissioner who served between 2013 and 2015 under former Governor Theodore Orji, expressed frustration that EFCC has continued to invite him over to its Abuja office for investigations in the past nine years since he left office.
Dr Nto who queried the motive behind the impromptu invitations to the Abuja office of EFCC, challenged the anti graft agency to rather charge him to court if it thinks he has any case to answer.
He particularly frowned at EFCC’s habit of inviting him to Abuja towards the end of every year.
He noted that even when he requested that he should be given sometime to prepare himself, the EFCC officer adamantly refused but instead threatened him with an arrest.
Wondering why a case should be investigated for nine years without conclusion, Dr Philips Nto disclosed that he was ready to defend himself in court over his stewardship as former Finance Commissioner.
He, however, asked EFCC to refrain from threatening his life since he had consistently obeyed and complied with their invitations for the past nine years.
“I am a lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. My house is not hidden. I have always responded to their invitation. So, I don’t see the urgency in giving me less than a day to travel to Abuja from Umuahia. I have requested that they should give me one week to report to their Enugu office but they refused,” Nto lamented.
He expressed surprise that a pattern has developed with the manner with which the EFCC invites him.
The former Provost, Abia College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, said he was becoming suspicious why EFCC must invite him for further interrogations close to every Christmas.
He called on the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukayode, to call his officers to order so as not to tarnish his image.
He argued that the EFCC new boss, “as a lawyer, should discipline his men to stick to the rule of law in the execution of their lawful duties.”
“The current military style of operation is antithetical to democratic ethos,” he submitted.
